[UPDATED] Saved from 'pirates' by smartphone

SAVED from a pirate attack by his smartphone.

This was the curious tale given by a fishing enthusiast yesterday who spoke during a press conference called by Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) to highlight the continuing danger armed pirates are posing to fishermen and seafarers on the high seas.

Sayyed Hosein said a sense of dread filled him when he saw a vessel containing several men approaching as he was fishing near Sea Lots recently. Not knowing what else to do Hosein said he pulled out his smartphone and pretended he was recording the suspicious men, who fearing exposure online, sped off in their boat.

Describing himself as a "recreational fisherman and blogger," Hosein said it was high time the authorities seriously examine ways and means of improving security on the seas as pirates, both local and Spanish-speaking, patrol the waters more than the Coast Guard. FFOS secretary Gary Aboud called for a multi-stakeholder committee to be formed to oversee the drafting of policies to protect fisherfolk.

Speaking at the press conference at the TT Coalition of Domestic Violence headquarters in Port of Spain, Aboud called for Prime Minister Dr Rowley, as head of the National Security Council, to intervene. Aboud referenced the recent attack by pirates in the Gulf of Paria in which several fishermen were thrown overboard and later drowned.

Recalling his frightening experience with the pirates, Hosein said that two weeks ago while he was fishing from his boat with friends, they saw the pirates approaching in another vessel.

"I was fishing in the Gulf of Paria off Sea Lots and while out there, this boat began approaching us. The men on the boat began asking us all kinds of questions about where we came from, what kind of engine I had and how many boats I had. Those kinds of questions usually come from people who want to tief your boat.

"They were scoping us out to see whether we were fishermen or not. This happened at around 11 am, almost midday. And if they can do something like that in broad daylight, what will they do under the cover of darkness?"

Hosein said while the conversation was going on, his cousin was on board and Hosein took out his phone and pretended he was doing a live Facebook video recording with the smartphone. As he pointed the device at the men, they hurriedly turned their vessel around and sped off.

He said fishermen were not the only ones affected by increasing incidents of piracy. He said anyone using the sea, whether a tourist or local, whether for fishing or recreation, was at risk of being attacked by criminals. Citing TT's international ranking as the third best place in the world for recreational fishing or tarpon fishing, according to a 2010 issue of Sport Fishing Magazine, Hosein said he feared the sport was being threatened by crime on the high seas.

"When tourists read about seven fishermen being thrown overboard by pirates, do you think they will want to come here for sport fishing?

"The only advice I have for other fishermen is to try and stay low at this time. Even if you have to go out, please let the coast guard know where you will be, go with extra lifejackets and life preservers. That's the best you can do."

This story was originally published with the title "Fisherman: Social media saved me from pirates" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A fishing enthusiast is crediting his smartphone for saving his life after he encountered pirates while fishing near Sea Lots recently.

Sayyed Hosein, a recreational fisherman and blogger, is joining with other fishermen in calling for heightened security measures along the coast as well as a multi-stakeholder committee to oversee the drafting of policies to protect fisherfolk.

Speaking today at a press conference hosted by Fishermen and the Friends of Sea (FFOS) and other fishing stakeholders, Hosein detailed his encounter with suspected pirates two weeks ago while he was fishing from his boat. He described how he scared away pirates by pretending to record them live on Facebook.

"I was fishing in the Gulf of Paria near Sea Lots and while out there, this boat began approaching us. The men on the boat began asking us all kinds of questions about where I came from, what kind of engine I had and how many boats I had.

"Those kinds of questions usually come from people who want to take your boat...

"They scoping you out, whether you're a fisherman or not. This happened at around 11 am, almost midday. And if they can do something like that in broad daylight, what will they do under the cover of darkness?"

He said while the conversation was going on, his cousin was on board and Hosein took out his phone and pretended he was doing a live Facebook video.

He said fishermen were not the only ones affected by increasing incidents of piracy and tourism was also at risk. Citing TT's ranking as the third best place in the world for recreational fishing or tarpon fishing, according to a 2010 issue of Sport Fishing Magazine, he feared the sport was being threatened by crime.

"When tourists read about seven fishermen being thrown overboard by pirates, do you think they will want to come here for sport fishing?

"The only advice I have for other fishermen is to try and stay low at this time. Even if you have to go out, please let the coast guard know where you will be, go with extra lifejackets and life preservers. That's the best you can do."